Last month Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher said he was somewhat hesitant to trade away goaltender Darcy Kuemper – apparently it wasn’t a lie.
The Wild announced Tuesday they have agreed to terms with Kuemper on a one-year, $1.55 million contract.
The 26-year-old netminder has posted a 33-29-11 record with the Wild, with a .912 save percentage and a 2.47 goals against average. He’s also recorded seven shutouts in 84 games during parts of the past four seasons.
#mnwild has signed Darcy Kuemper to a one-year, $1.55 million deal. Could have opted for arbitration today
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 5, 2016
Minnesota selected Kuemper in the sixth round (161st overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He’s spent his entire professional career with the Wild, and at one time was considered the club’s goalie of the future.
But After going 12-8-4 with a .915 save percentage during the 2013-14 regular season and 3-1-0 with a .913 save percentage for the Wild in that season’s playoffs, Kuemper struggled to regain that form in 2014-15. That’s when the Wild acquired Devan Dubnyk, who has become Minnesota’s clear-cut No. 1 goaltender.
According to Pro Hockey Talk, Dubnyk probably could use a lighter work load next season, which could mean more ice time for Kuemper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_xW0uPFQ2w
Kuemper has made it clear that he’d like to try and land a starting opportunity. It’s unlikely that will happen in Minnesota right now, but in the meantime he could provide the Wild with some extra depth in net until Minnesota is able to move him.
